The Rotary Club of Westborough, in collaboration with the Ekal Vidyalaya Boston Chapter, successfully completed a Backpack and School Supply Drive in support of the Town of Westborough’s Youth and Family Services. This year’s initiative benefited 138 families in need and approximately 252 students in the Westborough Public Schools community.
The backpacks were made possible through the generous support of a Rotary International District Grant. School-supply collections were held at several locations throughout Westborough.
Thanks to the generosity of community members, large quantities of school supplies were collected, organized, packed, and prepared for distribution. Rotary members Arushee Divyakirti, Jorge Yarzebski, and Anand Datta made significant contributions to the success of the initiative. Working closely with Ekal Vidyalaya, Youth and Family Services, and members of the Westborough community, they helped coordinate the collection, organization, and preparation of backpacks and school supplies for distribution to local students.
Julia Welch shared that Youth and Family Services has coordinated this important program for the past eight years. This year, with the support of the Rotary Club of Westborough and the Ekal Vidyalaya Boston Chapter, the program was able to reach an even greater number of children and families. Students now can begin the new school year strong with the supplies they need. This is a huge relief for many families who were struggling to find resources for a winter coat versus school supplies. 
This collaborative effort reflects a shared commitment to supporting education and strengthening our community. Providing students with essential school supplies not only reduces the financial burden on families but also helps children begin the school year with greater confidence, enthusiasm, and readiness to learn.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Youth and Family Services, the Ekal Vidyalaya Boston Chapter, Westborough Public Schools, Central One Federal Credit Union, the participating town departments and collection sites, Rotary members, volunteers, donors, and everyone who contributed to the success of this meaningful community initiative.